Success Stories

If you think larger, more well-funded communities have cornered the market on public safety innovations, think again. The St. Paul Volunteer Fire Department has built a robust organization with the vision and resources to go well beyond the town’s 1.4 square mile land area.… [Read More]

Aaron Mallory’s ties to his community are as strong and rich as the brews available in his Waynesboro coffee shop. He created the upscale, yet cozy, cafe to be a third space between work and home where his neighbors can experience the highs and lows of life together. “… [Read More]

You could say that music is in Rob Seal’s DNA. His granddad was a bluegrass musician from Russell County who took him to picking parties every summer, and his brother is a professional guitar player in Nashville. Seal took up the instrument at an early age and possesses the most… [Read More]

For Kris Krupa and Mandi Fullwood, a caffeine boost isn’t just a great way to start the day. It was so instrumental to the daily operations of their Heritage on Main Street restaurant that they brewed up a plan to start a coffee shop to keep both enterprises running strong.… [Read More]

Waynesboro’s proximity to Skyline Drive, the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Appalachian Trail makes it a perfect place for hiking, biking, paddling and fly fishing in the great outdoors. It’s also a terrific location for adventures in your own backyard with a little help from Brian… [Read More]

Jennifer Ledford has quite literally put her personal stamp on the business she operates in downtown Waynesboro. After starting small with a home embroidery machine, she now works in a variety of mediums to make customers’ ideas come to life.“It was hard to find cute clothes for… [Read More]

Small towns are known for being close-knit communities where neighbors help neighbors, but we don’t often hear about federal programs that offer seed money to grow multiple businesses and boost local economic development in the process.Rural Business Development Grants (RBDG) do… [Read More]

When Jeff Kilgore started work at the Woodway Water Authority (WWA), he found himself at the helm of a proverbial sinking ship with a small crew working feverishly to plug the leaks. The new executive director knew he had to drastically improve accountability to keep the… [Read More]

Successful partnerships can be found in just about every industry, but the ones that support agriculture are a unique breed because they ultimately benefit everyone in rural communities. In Virginia, one highly effective collaboration has been helping groups of farmers operate… [Read More]

A calming oasis can be hard to find in the gridlock of Northern Virginia, but those who know where to look can take a turn off the beaten path to reach a hidden sanctuary in nearby Culpeper. The Little House at Seek Lavender is a place of comfort and connection that is inspiring… [Read More]